Book Reviews

So many books. So little time.

Dot and Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Science taught through the story of a detective duo? Mice detectives Dot and Jabber set out to solve the mystery of the oak tree: how did it take root when there is no other oak nearby? Where did this seed come from?

Through their exploringing we learn that
1. In the natural course of things trees grow from seed.
2. Seeds normally do not travel very far from the parent tree.
3. But some, like the maple seeds, "have wings that twirl, and they ride the wind across the meadow.”

Dot and Jabber walk to the far oak. Aha! Hundreds of acorn lie fallen on the ground. But how did they travel?

“Acorns don’t have wings, but they might have sneaky feet,” said Dot. “Let’s keep watch and see if they start to move.”

Do acorns have feet? is that the answer? Read the book to find out.

Easy writing and colorful torn-paper illustrations as a vehicle for presenting science facts makes this book a winner. The back matter provides additional information. This book belongs in all schools and libraries.